GST Return Filling is a critical activity that acts as a link between the government and the taxpayer. As per the GST law, every individual or entity registered under the GST Act has to furnish the details of sales, purchases, and the tax paid by filing form GST returns with the administrative authorities. Once the GST Registration is done, it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to file the GST Return. While filing the GST return, the taxpayer has to provide all the requisite information related to the business and transactions, tax declaration, and payments. GST Return Filing is deemed to be filed electronically that helps the taxpayer in preparing the offline GST return and then upload it on GSTN through the facilitation center.
Additionally, there are various components of GST returns filing that a person needs to know about before filing the GST Return. There are certain GST Returns that are filed offline and then uploaded to the GSTIN portal either by the taxpayer or a facilitation center. By offering the GST return filing, GST compliant sales, and purchase invoices are expected. You can generate GST compliant invoices: An inventory or a bill is a list of goods sent or assistance provided, along with the sum due for payment.
A GST return is a document containing details of all income/sales and/or expense/purchase which a taxpayer (every GSTIN) is required to file with the tax administrative authorities. This is used by tax authorities to calculate net tax liability.
Under GST, a registered dealer has to file GST returns that broadly include:
GSTR-1-Description Of Outward Supplies
GSTR-1 is a return filed monthly by the businesses to provide the details of the outward supplies of all services and goods. Every individual /entity registered under GST should file GSTR-1 except Input service distributor and Composition taxpayer. The return shall be filed even if there is no business activity.
Due Date- The due date for filing GSTR-1 is the 11th of the next month with effect from October 2018 until September 2020
Due Date- This form is filed by 15th of every month
GSTR-3B is a monthly self-declaration form that helps in providing systemize details of all outward stocks made, input tax credit claimed, tax account defined, and taxes paid. The form is registered by all normal taxpayers enrolled under GST.
Due Date- Every 20th of next month for taxpayers with an aggregate turnover in the previous financial year more than Rs 5 crore. (From January 2020 onwards). However, the taxpayers having aggregate turnover equal to or below Rs 5 crore, shall file by 22nd of next month for taxpayers in category X states/Union Territories and 24th of next month for taxpayers in category Y states/Union Territories.
GSTR-4 is the return for the taxpayer who opts for the 'Composition Scheme' under GST. GSTR-4 returns which has been replaced by CMP-08.
Due Date- 18th of the month succeeding the quarter
GSTR-5 return is to be filed by Non-resident foreign taxpayers carrying business transactions in India. It acquires all outward supplies made; inward stocks received, credit/debit notes, tax liability, and taxes paid.
Due Date-Monthly (20th of the next month)
GSTR-6 is a monthly return filed by an 'Input Service Distributor'. It will acknowledge the details of input tax credit received and distributed by the ISD.
Due Date-Monthly (13th of the next month)
GSTR-7 is a Return for government authorities deducting tax at source (TDS). The return contains the particulars of TDS deducted, the TDS liability payable, and paid and TDS refund claimed if any.
Due Date-Monthly (10th of the next month)
GSTR-8 is a monthly return that has to be filed by E-commerce operators registered under the GST (Tax Collected at Source). It will contain particulars of all supplies made through the E-commerce platform, and the TCS received on the same.
Due Date-Monthly (10th of the next month)
It is the annual return to be filed by a normal taxpayer under GST.
Due Date-Annually (31ST December of the next Financial Year)
GSTR-9A is an annual return to be filed by taxpayers registered under the 'Composition Scheme' levy anytime during the year.
Due Date-Annually (31ST December of the next Financial Year)
GSTR-9C is the reconciliation statement to be filed by all taxpayers.
Due Date-Annually (31ST December of the next Financial Year)
GSTR-10 is to be filed by a taxpayer whose GST registration has been cancelled or surrendered.
Due Date-Within 3 months from the date of cancellation or date of cancellation of the order, whichever is earlier.
GSTR-11 is the return to be filed by a taxpayer who has been allotted a Unique Identity Number (UIN) to claim a refund under GST.
Under the GST Act, different types of taxes are collected – IGST, CGST & SGST , and all the three taxes paid or collected is required to be recorded in a single form. The online platform for GST Return is simplified and is further proposed to be more simplified through one form of filing for recording all transactions.
When your organization is officially registered, it then becomes permitted to acquire land, own fixed assets and/or acquire liabilities under its common seal. It is against the law for an unregistered organization to buy, hold/sell land anywhere.
The introduction of GST into the Indian tax system has removed several other taxes like central excise duty, service tax, customs duty, and state-level value-added tax. Thus, a single GST has abolished the cascading effect of tax on tax.
Before the introduction of Goods and Service Tax, VAT was applicable on any businesses having annual turnover of 20 lakhs. GST has provided higher threshold benefits.
Before GST, startups with an annual turnover of 5 lakh had to pay VAT which was very difficult for a startup during the initial stages. GST has replaced VAT where businesses can set off the service tax on their sales.
To observe the compliance structure, the GST system has introduced the mechanism of compliance rating. This is where all the registered entities/individuals are provided grading based on their invariability of fulfilling the compliance and payment of taxes. The rating of entity’s/individual’s compliance is publicly available on the website and a unique taxpayer is ranked with higher compliance ratings.
With the increase in competition, every business is making a strong presence online offering its services and products through their websites. Under VAT, there were many types of VAT laws and compliances that are required to be followed that were very complicated and often resulted in the confiscation of goods by the Authority. Whereas the GST has now removed all such confusing processes and has made the E-commerce business easy.
Before GST implication, the period was witnessed as an unorganized tax filing system. With the introduction of GST, all the taxes are paid online and major inconvenience that was a part of tax filing has been eliminated. This has resulted in businesses becoming more responsible and tax filing laws are better regulated than earlier.
The following details need to be furnished while filing GST Return:
Details of Income
Other Amount
Profit and Loss Statement
GSTR-1
GSTR-2
GSTR-3
GSTR-4
GSTR-5
GSTR-6
GSTR-7
GSTR-8
GSTR-9
GSTR-10
GSTR-11
GST Return filing is a detailed filing process that includes three major steps that are to be followed by every GST Taxpayer.
Step 1: Collecting The Documents And Invoices.
All registered taxpayers are required to collect the requisite documents and invoices to upload their annual return invoices on the GST portal. All the documents and invoices will have to be maintained electronically.
Step 2: Preparation For Online GST Return Filing
All the information and documents are required to start preparing for your GST returns first. Either the taxpayer or the expert appointed by him/her will maintain the invoice records and by month-end, he/she can easily file the GST returns electronically on the GST portal.
Step 3: Major Pre-Compliances Before Filing The GST Return
Delayed GST Return Filing may have a delusional effect leading to substantial fines and punishment. If GST return filings have been not filed within the designated time, then the taxpayers would have to pay interests and the late fee. Moreover, an interest of 18% per annum would be responsible. Nonetheless, the taxpayer can calculate the interest on the amount of outstanding tax to be paid. The Late fee includes Rs. 100 per day per Act, concurrently it is Rs. 100 under CGST & Rs. 100 under SGS, in total, it amounts to Rs. 200 per day. The maximum amount will result in Rs. 5000. (Not applicable to the Integrated Goods and Services Act).
An individual who has been issued a UIN (Unique Identity Number) for the reason of claiming a refund on his/ her purchase in India requires to file Form GSTR 11.
The prominent examples of GSTR 11 are diplomatic bodies and foreign embassies holding UN.
The taxpayer must file Form GSTR 8 on or before the 10th of every month.